Dragline apparatus



June 5, 1945. D, R, MOON 2,377, 02

DRAGLINE APPARATUS Filed Dec. 21, 1943 5 Sheets-Sheet 2 v In z '0 [orJen/700's 72. M00771 B) I 22 mm June 5,1945. R, MOON 2,377,802 DRAGLINEAPPARATUS Filed Dec. 21, 1943 3 Sheets-Sheet 3 Inventor .Femaks 7Z-M0570 M m I Patented June 5, 1945 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE 12,377,802 j DRAGL'INE APPARATUS Dennis R. Moon, Napa, Calif. ApplicationDecember 21, 194.3, Serial No. 515,165 I 4 Claims. (01. 37-117.)

The present invention relates generally to new and useful improvementsin drag line machinery, and has for one of its important objects toprovide, in a manner as hereinafter set forth, an apparatus of thischaracter comprising a :bucket including a unique combination andarrangement forconnecting thereto the operating lines.

Another very important object of the invention is to provide, in a dragline apparatus of the aforementioned character, a bucket comprisingnovel dump control means.

Other objects of the invention are to provide a drag line apparatus ofthe character described which will be comparatively simple inconstruction, strong, durable, highly efficient and reliable in use,compact, light in weight, and which may be manufactured at low cost.

All of the foregoing and still further objects and advantages of theinvention will become apparent from a study of the followingspecification, taken in connection with the accompanying drawingswherein like' characters of reference designate corresponding partsthroughout the several views, and wherein:

Figure 1 is a view in side elevation, of a drag line bucket constructedin accordance with the present invention.

Figure '7 is a vertical sectional view, taken substantially on the lineof Figure 6.

Figure 8 is a perspective view of one of the locks.

Figure 9 is a view principally in vertical section through one of thelocks.

Figure 10 is a View in horizontal section, taken substantially on theline lll--lll of Figure 9, but including a portion of the bucket, etcetera.

Figure 11 is a perspective view of the rear bail.

Referring to .the drawings in detail, it will be seen that theembodiment of the invention which has been illustrated comprises ametallic bucket of suitable dimensions which is designated generally byreference numeral 1, said bucket being open at its front end only. Thebucket I includes a bottom 2, sides 3, a top 4 and a rear end 5. Theforward end of the bottom 2 is provided with teeth 3. Metallic bars 30reinforce or strengthen the bucket I Mounted horizontally on the rearend 5 of the bucket l is a transverse rod I which projects beyond thesides of said bucket. Front and rear :bails 8 and 9, respectively, offlat stock are journa'led on the end portions of the rod 1. The rear endportions of bars ID are also mounted on the rod 1. The bars I 0 extendforwardlyfrom the rod 1 in spaced relation to the side walls 3 of thebucket land have their forward end portions secured to said bucket, asat H. Brackets 12 on the side walls 3 of the bucket are also providedfor-the side bars 1 0 adjacent the forward ends thereof.

"Locks l3 are provided for the bail 8 on the sides 3 of the bucket Ijust above the brackets 12. The locks l3 comprise keepers M which arejournaled for vertical swinging movement between pairs of brackets IS onthe [bucket I. Stops I 6 are prowhich terminate in flattened endportions 22 constituting stops which are engageable behind the keepersI4 in a manner to positively secure said keepers against swingingmovement on the brackets l5. Rising from the shaft 20 at an intermediatepoint is a lever 23. A coil spring 24 is connected to the lever 23 forengaging the stops 22 between the keepers l4 and certain of thereinforcing bars 30 on the side walls 3 of the bucket I. Rising from therear portion of the bucket l is a 'stand 25 having mounted thereon apulley 26. The pulley 26 is operable on a suspension line 21. Front andrear drag lines 28 and 29, respectively, are connected to the bails 8and 9.

It is thought that the operation of the invention will bereadilyapparent from a consideration of the foregoing. Briefly, when thestops 22 are enga ed behind the locks l3, said locks secure the bucket Iagainst swinging movement on the bail 8 while said bucket is beingfilled andmoved to the point of discharge. When the bucket reaches thepoint at which it is to be dumped, the lever 23 engages a suitableobstruction and is actuated thereby against the tension of the spring25. Thus, the elements 22 are withdrawn from behind the keepers Hi. Whenthis occurs, the forward end of the bucket l swings downwardly fordumping, the keepers l4 swinging upwardly under the bail 8. After thelocks l3 pass and are free of the bail 8, the keepers M swing downwardlyto their normal position by gravity and the spring 24 engages theelements 22 therewith. After the dumping operation, the bail 8 is swungdownwardly to again pick up the front end of the bucket. During .thismovement the plates l9 retract the bolts 11 against the tension of thecoil springs l8 and come to rest on the stops 16. The springs I8 thenproject the bolts I! over the bail 8 for again connecting the front endof the bucket I to said bail;

It is believed that the many advantages ofa v drag line bucketconstructed in accordance with the present invention will be readilyunderstood, and although a preferred embodiment of the device is asillustrated and described, it is to be un-' derstood that changes in thedetails of construction and in the combination and arrangement of partsmay be resorted to which will fallwithin the scope of the invention asclaimed.

What is claimed is:

1. Adrag line apparatus comprising a bucket, a rod mounted transverselyon and directly behind the rear end of the bucket, front and rear bailsjournaled on said rod, the front rail strad-r dling the bucket, a loadpulling line attached to said front bail, a return line attached to therear bail, and means releasably securing the front bail to the bucketagainst swinging movement.

2. A drag line apparatus comprising an elongated bucket open at itsfront and closed at its rear end, a bail pivotally mounted on thebucket,

looks releasably securing the bail to the bucket against swingingmovement, said locks including keepers journaled for vertical swingingmovement on the bucket, stops on the keepers enga eable beneath thebail, spring-pressed bolts slidable on the keepers and engageable overthe bail, and means for releasably securing the keepers against swingingmovement in engagement with the bail.

3. A drag line apparatus comprising an elongated bucket open at itsfront end and closed at its rear end, a bail pivotally mounted on thebucket, locks releasably securing the bail to the bucket againstswinging movement, said locks including keepers journaled for verticalswinging movement on the bucket, stops on the keepers engageable beneaththe bail, spring-pressed bolts slidable on the keepers and engageableover the bail, and means for releasably securing the keeprear end, a rodmounted transversely on the rear end of the bucket, front and rear bailsjournaled on the rod, said bails for connection with drag lines, a standrising from the bucket, a pulley on the stand operable on a suspensioncable, and means for releasably securing the front bail to the bucketagainst swinging movement.

DENNIS R. MOON.

